The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Course History
In 2005, Cook Group purchased French Lick Resort and started down the path to restore the historic property, and it was agreed that golf would play an important role in the overall success of the resort. To not only establish French Lick Resort as a true destination and historic property, but also as a world-class golf destination, an expansion of the existing golf operation was a must.
Members of Cook Group began to weigh their options. It was agreed upon that a second championship golf course needed to be built. The likely site for this new course would be the area between the West Baden Springs Hotel and the French Lick riding stables on the Mt. Airie property.
Research began and numerous architectural firms were consulted. Among the candidates were: Fuzzy Zoeller and architect Clyde Johnson, Rick Smith, Arnold Palmer Design, The Jack Nicklaus Corporation, and Schmidt-Curley, the team already on-site restoring the Donald Ross Course at French Lick, the resort's other championship golf course, and arguably the world's top architect, Pete Dye, possessor of six of the current top 20 courses in the U.S.
Property visits began as part of the selection process. Pete Dye came to the property in late 2005 and walked the severe terrain of the Mt. Airie property and gave some alarming news. Dye said there was no way to build a golf course on that property due to the severity of the slopes and rugged terrain. However, less than 24 hours later, Dye scheduled a second visit.
On that visit, Dye came equipped with a topographical map of the area. He again walked the property and the following day said he intended to "build the course whether they want me to or not." Considering the passion that Mr. Dye showed for this project, it would have been difficult not to award him the contract for the project he has since called the biggest job he has ever had.
Additional pre-construction visits and finally, a drawing of the course, on a paper napkin, at the Villager Restaurant over breakfast, in the winter of 2005, the start of perhaps one of the greatest modern courses in the world.
Awards & Accolades
Tourism
2009 Gold List, Condé Nast Traveler (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Top 75 U.S. Resorts, Condé Nast Traveler (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Zagat Survey, Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas, 2009 (West Baden Springs Hotel)
AAA Four Diamond rated hotels
Local Secrets, Big Finds®, Travelocity
Great Indiana Getaway winner, Indiana Office of Tourism Development
"Best Day Trip from Louisville," Louisville Magazine, 2008
"Best Indiana Getaway," Indianapolis Woman Magazine Choice Award, 2008
Industry
Development of the Year finalist, Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS)
Design
Best Redesign of Casino Resort, Casino Design Awards
"Best Theme," Southern Gaming Magazine The Best Of Awards, 2008
Golf Most Underrated Golf Resort in Midwest, Travel & Leisure Golf Magazine, 2007
Excellent Rating, Zagat Survey Guide to America's Top Golf Courses,2007/2008
Best Courses You Can Play, Golfweek Magazine, 2008 (The Donald Ross Course)
#1 Value among courses in Indiana and Kentucky, GOLF Magazine, 2007 (The Donald Ross Course)
Runner Up: 2007 Renovation of the Year, GOLF Magazine, 2007 (The Donald Ross Course)
Runner Up: Best Remodel in America, Golf Digest Magazine, 2007 (The Donald Ross Course)
"18 Best Holes in Indiana," Indiana Business Magazine, 2008 (The Donald Ross Course)
America's Top 30 Casino Courses, Golfweek Magazine, 2008 (The Donald Ross Course)
Spa
"Best Spa," Southern Gaming Magazine The Best Of Awards, 2007 & 2008
Meetings
Gold Tee Award, Meetings and Conventions Magazine, 2008
Pinnacle Award, Successful Meetings Magazine, 2007 & 2008
Gold Key Award, Meetings & Conventions Magazine, 2008
Planner's Choice, Meeting News Magazine, 2008
Preservation (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Outstanding Preservation of a National Historic Landmark, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 2007
J.Timothy Anderson Awards for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation forBest Historic Rehab or Adaptive Re-Use for Hotel/Hospitality, 2007
National Preservation Honor Award Winner, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 1998 & 2008
Certificate of Appreciation, National Park Service, 1997
Gibson Award, American Institute of Architects, 1997
Orange County Historic Contribution Award, Orange County Historical Society, 1997
Distinguished Achievement in Historic Preservation Award, Ball State University, 1999
Official Project of Save America's Treasures, the Millennium Committee to Save America's Treasures, 1999
Outstanding Hoosier Preservationist Award, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, 2000
Designations
Summit Hotels & Resorts (French Lick Springs Hotel)
Preferred Hotels & Resorts (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL), by U.S. Secretary of the Interior since 1987 (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Designated a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, 2002 (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Designated a Historical Hotel of America, National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2008 (West Baden Springs Hotel)
Designated on the National Register of Historic Places (French Lick Sprinsg Hotel)
Designated on the National Register of Historic Places (West Baden Springs Hotel)